MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government moves forward with innovation and entrepreneurship as the central pillar of the government’s Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (i3S) with the launch of the Inclusive Filipinnovation and Entrepreneurship Roadmap during the Inclusive Innovation Conference (IIC) 2018 held on October 2 to 3 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

In partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) outlined its strategies for the country to seize market opportunities and address the challenges of Industry 4.0. The Roadmap covers six key elements: (1) strong government-academe-industry collaboration; (2) human capital development; (3) access to funding and finance; (4) innovation policy and commercialization of research; (5) entrepreneurial culture and support for startups, MSMEs, and large enterprises to become more innovative; and (6) development of industry clusters to position innovative industries for rapid growth. These will be implemented through the regional inclusive innovation centers (RIICs), which will be established initially in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and Legaspi.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez highlighted that, “The ultimate goal of the Inclusive Filipinnovation and Entrepreneurship Roadmap is to activate innovation and entrepreneurship as the main levers to reduce, if not completely eliminate, poverty in the country.”

Demonstrating their commitment to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among the country’s researchers and local firms, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) joined the DTI and DOST in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate among one another and collaborate with stakeholders from industry and the academe in pursuing the objectives of the Roadmap and its implementation. In addition, DTI, DOST, and DICT signed another MOU to boost their cooperation for assisting the country’s startups.

The chief country representatives of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were present at the Conference and expressed their support for the Philippine government’s efforts to advance innovation and entrepreneurship towards achieving sustained and inclusive growth in the country.

With the theme “Filipinnovation for Entrepreneurship & Inclusive Growth,” the IIC 2018 included panel discussions on how to leapfrog to industrialization; accelerate government-industry-education collaboration and link innovation and entrepreneurship; and build regional inclusive innovation centers across the country. DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba emphasized that: “Innovation lies at the heart of our new industrial strategy and it is at the core of any solution to the challenges that we are now facing.”

Furthermore, through the Slingshot Startup & Innovation Summit on the second day of the Conference, DTI and DOST put a spotlight on startup development and notable government-funded researches. Among the technologies featured for possible partnerships with the private sector were LAMP Kit for Shrimp Pathogens; Hybrid Train Set and Hybrid Electric Train; Impeller Rice Mill; and Ginhawa/ReliefVent. Also pitched for interested clients were Antipara; FISH-I; USHER; VISSER; ACTIcon Biopesticide for Cavendish Banana; and Axis Knee System. These technologies have been developed by researchers from various academic and research institutions, including UP Diliman, UP Manila, University of Sto. Tomas, Mapua University, PhilMech, and the DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center.

In her remarks during the Slingshot panel discussion, DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado called upon the startup community to “be prepared for the 21st century economy, establish international networks, and take the global stage.”

The event was attended by stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including officials from national and local government, industry stakeholders, members of the startup community, representatives of business groups, and members of the academic and research community throughout the country.♦